Disappearing stairway



DISAPPARING STAIRWAY Filed April 4. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 77MNK E. 25a-.5.5L ER ATvToRNEx/.s

June 23., 1931 F. E. BEssLER DISAPPEARING STAIRWAY Fild April 4. 1929 2sheets-sheet 2- INVENTOR.

FRANK L". BESSLER ATToRNEY Patented June 23, 1931Y unirse .STATES PATENTorrlee FRANK E. BESSLER, OF AKRO*N,YO"HI 0, ASSEGNO@ TQ THE BESSLER-DSfAPPEAB-ING srnlnwav COMPANY, or AKRON,

erizo, n oo ltronnirroizr `or oHIo DISAPPEARING STAIRWAY` Applicationtiled April 4,

Y This invention relates ,to disappearing stairways of that typearranged to cooperate with a ceiling opening between floors of abuilding.

hc general purpose of the invention is to provide a. simple, inexpensiveconstruction of this type in which the usual closure panel is hinged atthe side of the opening and the stair structure is supported entirely bythe upper Hoor when retracted and unt-il it is extended to the loweriioor, improved vIneens of an economical Construction being provided,however, lwhereby the movements," of the panel and :stair :structure arecorrelatedl A further purpose of the invention is to provide a'safe,non-swaying stair structure.

The foregoing and other purposes ofthe invention. are attained in thestairway illus# trained in the accompanying drawings and describedbelow. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to thespecific :form thereof shown and described.

Of the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in sec# tion, et a stairwayinstallation embodyingthe 4invention ,shown extended for use;

Figure 2 is a similar View thereof showing the stairway retracted andconcealed from View from the lower room; and 1 Figure 3 is a frontelevation of a portion of the stairway installation, partly in section,on line 3-3 of Figure 1. y

Refferringto the drawings, the numeral 10 designates "a ceiling openingbetween lower and upper floors of a building, to o ne side of which ishinged a panel closure 11 as indicated lat 12,12.

A. stair structure 13 is slidablyV mounted on an arm structure 14pivotedat one end of opening 10 as at 15 whereby the stair structure ispivotally and slidably` mounted on the upper floor 'so as to movebetween a retracted position on the vupper iioor (Figure 2) and aposition of use in which it is extended to the lower floor through theopening 10.

Brackets provided at 16 and 17 on each side of the arm structure 14 areprovided with blocks 18, 18, engaged in grooves 19 on the outer sides ofthe stringersof lstair structure ieee. no.. 352,556.

13 to slidaloly support. the stair Astructure oli armii., v j f Tocorrelate mov-erneut of the stair structure and panel and to tend tohold the stairway retracted in addition toj the vcollinterpoising actionof the upper portiOllthereo `when retracted so that the stairway iseasilyand Safely operable, e spring drum 2.0 ismoerited on onel end ,ofPanel 'closure 11 and a'iieXible ,element'21 winding thereon is extendedthe panel and stair structure in diiierent planes.

" Provision is preferably mede for yieldingly 'resisting orcounterpoising the arm structure 14 and the stair structure-'13againstswinging downwardly `forcibly when the stairway is beingrextended and toassist in' retraoting the stairway." For examplebraekets 17 may extendupwardly 'from the arm structure 14 to provide arms 17a, the upper endsof which inay' be connected by .Coil springs 25A to the llPPF, ,2li/Insof levers V26 which may. be p ivoted" inlineA l with the pivots 1 5 of.the arnis and the A'lower arnis of which levers are arranged to swing'into abutting relation (from en ineifeotive position;v Fie- Ule 2) withthe end wall of opening 10 'as the stair structure is swung Ldownthrough open.- ingle.V i

ooil spring 29 may beeon11eoted-between the side wall of Opening 1Oandthe tpanel ,ll .ofthe end 'thereofY opposite the spring drinn 2O A.toproi'deSubstarit' llyequal yield"- ine ,support to that end of p .el 11asis provided by the spring druIn-QO and iieXibleele- 1i1e11t2l ai-itsend of the panel. i

be engaged by the under side of the stair structure when it is swungfio-W11 to the lower floor to ,prevent swlgingof ihe'eber streef A stop30 isprovidejd on the panel 11 to ture back too far and to hold it atthe proper inclination for use.

To hold the panel 11 open when the stair structure is being extended andretracted, a suitable known type of toggle linkage 81 is connectedbetween the arm structure 14 and the panel 11.

The stair structure may be arranged to be latched onto the arm structure14 by a suitable known type of latch 32 mounted thereon and adapted tobe automatically locked or released by reciproeatory movement of thestair structure.

To operate the stairway from below, a chain 27 may be suspended from thefree edge of panel 11 and to operate the stairway from above, a rail 28is provided diagonally of the upper side of the panel to be engaged byone side of the stair structure when its upper end is lifted from above.

In operation of the stairway from below, the chain 27 will be pulleddownwardly, opening the panel 11, whereupon the spring drum 2O willtension cable 21 and swing the arm structure 14 downwardly, springs 25coming into play before the panel 11 is completely opened by reason oflevers 26 swinging against the end wall of opening 1() and sheave 22shifting angularly to compensate for the change in direction of thestretch of cable 21 between the spring drum Q0 and the sheave. The stairstructure 13 which is thus swung to an accessible position from below isthen pulled downwardly to the lower floor, the cable 21 paying out fromspring drum 2O which yieldingly resists this movement, the weight of thestairway and tension in the spring drum being so balanced, however, thatthe stair structure will remain extended when released. The stairway isretracted from below by pushing it upwardly on its mounting 14, springdrum 20 now assisting and when fully retracted on its mounting springdrum 20, spring 29 and springs 25 together with the weight of the upperportion of the stairway are effective to swing the whole structure up toits retracted position (Figure 2), the force of the springs 25 beingreleased during this movement so that the panel will close gently.

Operation of the stairway from above is eected by lifting the upper endof the stair way to depress the lower end against the rail 28 on panel11, thus swinging the panel down, the stair structure then being pusheddown from the upper floor to the lower floor. To retract the stairwayfrom above, the stair structure is pulled upwardly and its upper endswung downwardly as will be understood.

To prevent swaying of the stair structure when in use and to obviate thedanger and other disadvantages of open7 treads, a backing anel 35 issecured as by rabbeting, mortising or the like into the stringers of thestair structure behind the treads as indicated, for example, at36.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a simple, safe, eiiectiveand inexpensive disappearing stairway has been provided by theinvention. Obviously modiiications thereof may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. A disappearing stairway adapted for cooperationwith an opening in a ceiling between lower and upper iioors of abuilding, said stairway comprising a stair structure, mounting means forpivotally and slidably supporting the stair structure at one end of saidopening whereby it operable between a retracted position on the upperfloor and a position in which it is extended to the lower Hoor, a panelclosure adapted to be hinged to Ione side of the opening, a spring drumon the end ol the panel adjacent said mounting means, a flexible elementwinding on the spring drum, a sheave shiftably mounted on the mounting,said iiexible element being ex tended over `said sheave and connected atits fore end to the stair structure, the sheave being shiftable toadjust itself to the relative movement of the stretches of the flexibleele ment respectively between the panel and sheave and between the stairstructure and sheave, a spring adapted to be extended between the otherend of the panel and the side of the opening above the panel hinges, anarm on said mounting, a lever pivoted at the end of the opening on whichthe mounting is pivoted, and a spring between said arm and said lever,said lever being adapted to swing in abutment with said end of theopening to tension said last-named spring as the stair structure isswung do vnwardly through the opening.

2. A disappearing stairway adapted for cooperation with an opening in aceiling` between lower and upper floors of a building, said stairwaycomprising a stair structure, mounting means for pivotally and slidablysupporting the stair structure at one end of said opening whereby it isoperable between a retracted position on the upper floor and a positionin which it is extended to the lower Hoor, a panel closure adapted to behinged to one side of the opening, a spring drum on the end of the paneladjacent said mounting means, a flexible element winding on the springdrum, a sheave shiftably mounted on the mounting, said flexible elementbeing extended over said sheave and connected at its fore end to thestair structure, the sheave being shiftable to adjust itself to therelative L l movement of the stretches of the flexible elementrespectively between the panel and sheave and between the stairstructure and sheave, an arm on said mounting, a lever pivoted at theend of the opening on which lai thel mounting isl pivoted,` and a springbetween said arm and said lever, said lever being. adapted to swing inabutment with said end of the opening to tension said last-named springas the stair structure is swung 4downward-lythrouglithe opening. A

V3. A disappearing stairway adaptedfor cooperation with an opening in aceiling be; tween lower' 4and upper floors of a building, said stairway.Comprising a. stair structure, mounting means for pivotally and slidablysupportingthe stair structure at one end .of said. opening whereby it isoperable between aretracted positionzon 4the upper floor and` apositionV in which it is extended to the lower floor, a- Vpanel closureadapted to be .hinged 'to one' side Vof theopening,r aspring drum on theend of the panel adjacent said mounting means, a flexiblefelementwinding on the.

spring drum, asheave shiftably mounted von the mounting, saidflexibleelement being cxtended over said` sheave and connected at itsfore end to the stair structure, the sheave be ing shiftable to adjustitself to the relative movement of the stretches of the flexible elementrespectively between the panel and sheave-and between the stairstructure and sheave, and Aa `spring adapted to beextended between theother end of the panel and the side of the opening above the panelhinges.

4. A disappearing. stairway adapted for cooperation with. an opening ina ceiling between lower'and upper `floors of building, said stairwaycomprising a stairstructure, mounting means for pivotally andv'slidablysupporting the stair structure at oneend of said opening whereby it isoperable between a `retracted position on the upper floor and apositionin which it is extended to the lower floor, va panel closureadapted to be hinged to one side of the opening, :a spring `drum on theend of the panel adjacent said mounting means, a flexible elementwinding on the spring drum, anda sheave shiftablyv mounted onthemounting, said flexible element being extended vover said sheave andconnected at its fore end to the stair structure, the shea-ve beingshiftable toadjust itself to the rela; tive movement of thestretches ofthe-ilexible element respectivelybetween the panel` and she-ave andbetween the stairjstructure and sheave.' A

5. `A disappearing stairway adapted for cooperation-with an opening inVa ceiling between lower a-nd upper floors of abuilding, said `stairwaycomprising a. stair structure, mounting means for lpivotally and`slidably supporting the'stair 'structureat one'end of saidopeningwhereby itis: operable between retracted position on the upper:door and a position in, which itis extended to the lower floor,v apanel closure adapted to be hinged to one side of the opening, a springdrum onth'e 'end of 'thepa'nel adjacentsaid mountingme'an's, va flexibleelement winding on the spring drum, a slieaveshiftably mountedion the,mounting, said flexible 'element being extended over said sheave :andconnected at its fore end tol the `stair structure, the sheave beingshiftable to adjust itself to the relative movement of the stretchesoff, the flexible element respectively between the panel and sheave andbetween thestair structure and sheave, a spring adapted tobe extendedbetween the other, end-.ofthefpanel and ,the

side `ofthe opening above the panel hinges, and means; for yieldinglyresisting downward swinging of the stair structure when the panel isopen. Y

6; A disappearing stairwayadaptedfor cooperation with an opening in aceiling between lower and upperv floors of a building, said stairwaycomprising a stair structure, mounting means for pivot-ally and slidablysupporting the stair structure at' one end of said .opening `whereby itis operable between a retracted position on the upper floor and aposition in which it is'extended to the lower Hoor, a panel closureadapted to beV hinged to one side of the opening, a spring drum on theend of the panel adjacent said mounting means, a flexible elementwinding on the spring drum, a sheave shiftably mounted on the mounting,said flexible element being extended over said `sheave and connectedatits fore end to the stair structure, the sheave being shiftable toadjust itself to therelative movement of the stretches of the flexibleelement respectively between l the panel and sheave and between thelstair structure `and sheave, and means for yield.- ingly resistingdownward swinging of the stair structure when the panel is open.

7. A disappearing "stairway adapted cooperation withan opening inaceiling between lower and upper floors ofa building,

said stairway comprising a stair structure, mounting means for pivotallyand slidably supporting the stair structure at one end .of said openingwhereby it is operable between a retracted position on the upper floorand a position in which it is extended to the lower loor,.a panelclosure adapted to beihinged to lone side ofthe opening, a spring drumon the end of the panel adjacent said mounting means, 'a flexibleelement windingon` the springfdrum, said flexible element cooperatingwith said mounting means and connected to the `stair-'structurewherebyj'it serves to j retain the stairway in retracted position-andwhereby the weight of both stair structure and panel are counterbalancedto assist in n operation thereof, a spring v adaptedvto be j extendedbetween'the other end of the panel and the side of the opening abovethe-panel hinges, 'an `arinon said mounting, -alever pivoted at the endof the opening on which the mounting is 'pivoted, andra spring betweensaid arm andi said lever,` said lever being adapted to swing in abutmentwith said end of the opening to tension said lastnamed spring as thestair structure is swung downwardly through the opening.

8. A disappearing stairway adapted for cooperation with an opening in aceiling between lower and upper floors of a building, said stairwaycomprising a stair structure, mounting means for pivotally and slidablysupporting the stair structure at one end of said opening whereby it isoperable between a retracted position on the upper floor and a positionin which it is extended to the lower floor, a panel closure adapted tobe hinged to one side of the opening, a spring drum on the end of thepanel adjacent said mounting means, a flexible element winding on thespring drum, said flexible element cooperating with said mounting meansand connected to the stair structure whereby it serves to retain thestairway in retracted position and whereby the weight of both stairstructure and panel are counterbalanced to assist in operation thereof,an arm on said mounting, a lever pivoted at the end of the opening onwhich the mounting is pivoted, and a spring between said arm and saidlever, said lever being adapted to swing in abutment with said end ofthe opening to tension said last-named spring as the stair structure isswung down wardly through the opening.

9. A disappearing stairway adapted for cooperation with an opening in aceiling between lower and upper floors of a building, said stairwaycomprising a stair structure, mounting means for pivotally and slidablysupporting the stair structure at one end of said opening whereby it isoperable between a retracted position on the upper oor and a position inwhich it is extended to the lower floor, a panel closure adapted to behinged to one side of the opening, a spring drum on the end of the paneladjacent said mounting means, a flexible element winding on the springdrum, said fiexible element cooperating with said mounting means andconnected to the stair structure whereby it serves to retain thestairway in retracted position and whereby the weight of both stairstructure and panel are counterbalanced to assist in operation thereof.Y

l0. A disappearing stairway adapted for cooperation with an opening in aceiling between lower and upper floors of a building, said stairwayvcomprising a stair structure, mounting means for pivotally and slidablysupportingthe stair structure at one end of said opening whereby it isoperable between a retracted position on the upper floor and a positionin which it is extended to the lower floor, a panel closure adapted tobe hinged to one side of the opening, a spring drum on the end of thepanel adjacent said mounting means, and a flexible element winding onthe spring drum, said flexible element cooperati ing withsaid mountingmeans and connected to the stair structure whereby it serves to re tainthe stairway in retracted position and whereby the weight of both stairstructure and panel are counterbalanced to assist in operation thereof.

ll. A disappearing stairway adapted for' cooperation with an opening ina ceiling between lower and upper floors of a building, said stairwaycomprising a stair structure, mounting means for pivotally and slidablysupporting the stair structure at one end of said opening whereby it isoperable between a retracted position on the upper lioor and a positionin which it is extended to the lower floor, .a panel closure adapted tobe hinged to one side of the opening, a spring drum on the end of thepanel adjacent said mounting means, a flexible element winding on thespring drum, said flexible element cooperating with said mounting meansand connected to the stair structure whereby it serves to retain thestairway in retracted position and whereby the weight of both stairstructure and panel are counter-balanced to assist in operation thereof,a spring adapted to be extended between the other end of the panel andthe side of the opening above the panel hinges, and means for yieldinglyresisting downward swinging of the stair structure when the panel isopen.

l2. The combination in a disappearing stairway cooperating with aceiling opening between lower and upper floors of a building, of a stairstructure, mounting means for pivotally and slidably supporting thestair structure on one end of said opening, a closure panel hinged atone side of said opening, and means on the panel adapted to limit thepivotal movement of the stairway at a proper inclination when saidstairway is extended to the lower floor.

13. A disappearing stairway adapte-d for cooperation with an opening ina ceiling between lower and upper floors of a building, said stairwaycomprising a stair structure, mounting means for pivotally and slidablysupporting the stair structure at one end of said opening whereby it isoperable between a retracted position on the upper floor and a positionin which it is extended to the lower Hoor, a panel closure adapted to behinge-d to one side of the opening, a spring drum on the end of thepanel, adjacent said mounting means, a flexible element winding on thespring drum, said flexible element cooperating with said mounting meansand connected to the stair structure whereby it serves to retain thestairway in retracted position and whereby the weight of both stairstructure and panel are counterbalanced to assist in operation thereof,and means for yieldably resisting downward swinging of the stairstructure when the panel is open.

14. The combination in a stair structure for cooperation with a ceilingopening between lower and upper floors of a building, of a stairstructure, mounting means for pivotally and slidably supporting saidstair structure at one end of the opening for movement f; between aretracted position on the upper floor to a position of use extended tothe lower floor, a panel closure hinged at one side of said opening, andyielding means extended between the paneL-the mounting means and thestair structure serving to urge the stairway to its retracted positionwith the panel shut and operable to swing the stair structure down to anaccessible position from below when the panel is opened.

15. The combination in a stair structure for cooperation with a ceilingopening between lower and upper floors of a building, of .a stairstructure, mounting means for pivotally and slidably supporting saidstair struc- 2@ ture at one end of the opening for movement between aretracted position on the upper floor to a position of use extended tothe lower floor, a panel closure hinged at one side of said opening, andyielding means extended between the panel, the mounting means and thestair structure serving to urge the stairway to its retracted positionwith the panel shut and operable to swing the stair structure down to anaccessible position from below 3e when the panel is opened, said panelbeing adapted to be depressed open from above by swinging Jglie stairstructure down against the panel.

FRANK E. BESSLER.

